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More than 60 million students and teachers in China were estimated to watch a live lesson broadcast on state television, taught by a Chinese astronaut orbiting more than 186 miles above Earth. During the broadcast, the astronaut asked questions of students and covered topics in physics, including Isaac Newton's second law of motion and the surface tension of water.

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Students in a first-grade class at Eastwood Public School in Ontario, Canada, are using Twitter to solve math problems with a class in Singapore and share images of tadpole development with students in Iowa. The class has its own YouTube channel, and students also blog and use Skype to share their learning. "They have an audience that is not just their teacher anymore," teacher Kristen Wideen said. "If they want to share something they're proud of, they can share that and get feedback," she added.

Bart Rocco, superintendent of a Pennsylvania school district, said he is hoping to change the culture of the district by distributing iPads and other technology to all teachers, students and administrators. Under a school board's decision Wednesday, the district will lease iPad-mini devices for all kindergarten through second-grade students, iPads for the remaining student population, and iPads and laptop computers for all teachers and administrators. All school board members will receive an iPad as well.

A Florida school district is grappling with a slew of technology needs, but it does not have the funds to cover all of the costs. Instead, officials say the district has about $16 million to put toward $59 million in needed upgrades. The funding challenges come as the Broward district -- and others nationwide -- are preparing to implement online exams required under the Common Core State Standards.

Recent confusion over bills that families received for students' classes taken at a virtual charter school have highlighted some confusion over a recently passed bill that caps funding for students taking courses at public schools and Florida Virtual School. Star Kraschinsky, director of external affairs for Florida Virtual School, said his school is anticipating a loss of $37 million as a result. A local charter school recently sent families bills for $425 related to courses that students did not finish at the virtual school, but later said that was a mistake.

More than 60 million students and teachers in China were estimated to watch a live lesson broadcast on state television, taught by a Chinese astronaut orbiting more than 300 kilometres above Earth. During the broadcast, the astronaut asked questions of students and covered topics in physics, including Isaac Newton's second law of motion and the surface tension of water.